Convertible combination platform and step for ladders



Jan. 21, 1969 o. R. LUND 3,422,923

CONVERTIBLE COMBINATION PLATFORM AND STEP FOR LADDERS Filed Oct. 5, 1967 INVENTOR. 02011-14 k. Al/ND 4 from: rs

United States Patent 3,422,923 CONVERTIBLE COMBINATION PLATFORM AND STEP FOR LADDERS Ordell R. Lund, 1915 E. 9th St., Duluth, Minn. 55805 Filed Oct. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 672,565 US. Cl. 1s2-120 6 Claims Int. Cl. E066 7/14 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure includes a platform for removable attachment to a ladder and includes a primary flat support having a pair of hooks for engagement with the rung of a ladder on the front side thereof and a stop bar connected to the primary support for engagement with the rails of the ladder. A secondary flat support is hingedly connected to the primary support in overlying spaced relation with the outer end of the secondary support resting on and supported by the hooks. The secondary support is hingedly extendable to a position to form a platform extended from the primary support with the hooks engaging the rung of a ladder from the rear side thereof.

Summary of the invention The invention relates to an improvement in platforms for removable connection with a ladder and more particularly to a platform having a construction whereby the same may be attached to the front of a ladder as a step and attached to the rear side of a ladder as a platform for paint cans, tools and the like. It is an object of the invention to provide a combination platform and step for a ladder having a primary support formed with hooks for engagement with the rung of a ladder from the front thereof together with a bar for abutting engagement with the side rails of the ladder and a secondary support hingedly connected to and overlying the primary support as a step. It is also an object to provide the aforementioned construction with which the hooks thereof may be engaged to the rung of a ladder from the rear thereof with the secondary support hingedly moved to a position extended from the primary support and parallel thereto.

These and other more detailed and specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ladder platform in operative position as a step on the rung of a ladder as viewed from the front of the ladder.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the platform in a further operative position on a ladder Where the platform extends from the rear of the ladder.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing reference characters will be used to denote like parts or structural features in the different views. The platform A includes the primary flat support which has secured adjacent the inner edge thereof the pair of spaced hook 12 and 14, the open portion of the hooks facing the center of the support 10. Further provided is the elongated support block 16 which is secured to the support 10 adjacent the outer edge thereof. The numeral 18 designates a secondary flat support which is hingedly connected at its outer edge to the outer edge of the block 16 by means of the hinges 20 and 22. The vertical dimension of the block 16 and the hinge 22 is substantially the outside vertical dimension of hooks 12 and 14 and the width of the sec- 3,422,923 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 "ice ondary support 18 is such that the inner end of the support 18 rests on the hooks 12 and 14 when the support 18 is hinged to a position overlying the primary support 10, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2.

The numeral 24 designates an elongated bar the length of which is equal to or greater than the overall width of the ladder L at the rails 26 and 28. The bar 24 is adjustably secured to the underside of the primary fiat support 10 by means of the nut-equipped bolts 30 and 32 secured to the bar and extended through a pair of slots 34 and 36, respectively, formed in the platform 10. Also provided are the pair of spaced stops 38 and 40 secured to secondary support 18 and extending at right angles thereto. The stops 38 and 40 are considered as secured to the underside of the secondary support 18 when considering the support 18 in the step position of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are of such a length that the same contact the top surface of the primary support 10. When the support 18 contacts the hooks 12 and 14, the support 18 being in a position overlying the support 10.

With the secondary support 18 in the platform position of FIGS. 4 and 5, the stops 38 and 40 serve to position an article such as a can of paint P upon the secondary support 18, particularly FIG. 4.

The device A is used as follows as a step. The secondary support member 18 is pivoted to a position free of the hooks 12 and 14. The hooks 12 and 14 are then caused to engage the rung 44 of the ladder L in a position with the primary platform 10 beneath the rung (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). In this position the bar 24 is moved to a position against the ladder rails 26 and 28 with the secondary platform support horizontal. The bolts 30 and 32 are then drawin up by the nuts thereon to fix the bar in the position described. The weight of the unit A causes the bar 24 to bear against the rails 26 and 28 and maintain the step platform A upon the ladder and in a horizontal position. Further, the device A in such a position will support a party standing on the secondary support 18, for the hooks 12 and 14 engage the rung 44, and the bar 24 abuts the rails 26 and 28 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

The device A is used as a platform as follows. The secondary support 18 is hingedly moved free of the hooks 12 and 14 and into the position of FIGS. 4 and 5. The hooks 12 and 14 are then caused to engage the rung 44 from the backside of the ladder (FIG. 4). The bar 24 is then moved to engage the backside of the rails 26 and 28 with the secondary support 18 in a horizontal position. The nut-equipped bolts 30 and 32 are then tightened. The weight of the unit A causes the bar 24 to bear against the rails 26 and 28 and the hooks 12 and 14 bear against the rung 44 whereby the unit is held in horizontal position against displacement. In the platform position described, an article such as the can P may be positioned on the secondary support 18 and be retained by the stops 38 and 40. In addition, articles may be placed on the primary support 10. The device A may be easily removed from the ladder L in the position of either FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 by simply disengaging the hooks 12 and 14 from the rung 42.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A convertible platform and step for a ladder comprising:

(a) a primary support member,

(b) a secondary support member hingedly connected to said primary support for electable overlying relation with said primary support as a step or extended from said primary support as a platform,

rung of a ladder from the front thereof with said secondary support extended as a platform, and

((1) means carried by said primary support for engagement with the side rails of a ladder to hold said primary and secondary supports horizontal and in engagement with the rung and rails of a ladder.

2. The device of claim 1 in which v (a) said primary support is a fiat body, and

(b) said secondary suport is a flat body. I

. 3. The device of claim 2 in which (a) said elongated bar is adjustably connected to said primary support.

6. The device of claim 5 in which (a) said primary support has secured thereto an upstanding bar to which said secondary support is hingedly connected.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,702,249 2/1929 Davidson 182 -129 2,865,546 12/1958 Shull 182-129 3,294,197 12/1966 Kwiatkowski 182120 REINALDQ P. MACHADO, Primary Examih er.

US. Cl. X.R. 

